The governor sees great potential for anaerobic digesters in Wisconsin.
Governor Jim Doyle says the devices, which use methane from manure to generate electricity and also help break it down for other uses, have the ability to prevent a great deal of environmental damage. Doyle says the can produce clean energy and keep sediment from polluting lakes.
The governor says Wisconsin lacks many of the natural resources used to generate energy, such as coal and oil. However, the state's massive dairy industry does produce waste than can be used to make up for some of the fuel that has to be imported.
Doyle's proposed state budget would include $6.6 million to help Dane County build two anaerobic digesters that would draw from local dairy farms. The facilities would be built near Middleton and Waunakee.
Doyle says such projects help harness Wisconsin's strength as America's dairy land.